February 13, 2024
Police keen to stop mental health response
Health Minister Shane Reti says he’s agrees with a Police request to downsize its response to domestic violence and mental call outs.
In its briefing to the incoming Police minister, Police proposed managed withdrawal of services in such cases.
Dr Reti says there have already been trials of co-response, with mental health professionals working alongside police.
“Mental health crises aren’t something you solve in five or 15 minutes. They take quite a lot of time so to be able to pass that off to a mental health professional and get back into the front line, that’s valuable, plus for the client involved, they get that expertise in the moment, it’s not ‘we will make an appointment for you tomorrow,'” he says.